Dishwasher not heating water: causes and what to do
When a dishwasher does not heat the water, grease and dried-on food are not removed, the dishes and the inside of the tub are cold after the programme, and the programme may stop with a heating error — E09 on Bosch and Siemens, HE on LG and Samsung, i60 on Electrolux.
Bosch separates two cases: if the water is not hot enough and the dishes are just not as clean, first go through the "not cleaning properly" checks; if the machine does not heat the water at all, it needs a technician.
Likely causes
- a faulty heating element — Bosch links code E09 directly to a defective heater;
- a faulty temperature sensor (NTC) or a corroded sensor connector;
- a blocked filter, so the water does not circulate properly through the heater;
- a faulty heater relay or control board;
- an eco or quick programme with a low temperature — not a fault.
Safe steps you can try
There is not much you can check yourself:
- Make sure a normal or intensive programme is selected, not an eco, quick or glass programme.
- Clean the filter at the bottom of the machine: a blocked filter stops the water circulating.
- When an intensive programme has finished, open the door: the dishes and the tub walls should be hot, with steam rising. If everything is cold, there is no heating.
- If the display shows a heating code, unplug the machine for a few minutes and start the programme again.
- If the water does not heat at all, Bosch advises closing the water tap, switching the machine off and calling a technician.
When to call a technician
Call a technician if the dishes are cold after a hot programme, the programme stops with a heating code, or the machine no longer removes grease. Bosch does not recommend trying to fix a heater fault yourself.
The technician will test the heater, the temperature sensor, the relay and the board, replace the faulty part and name the price before the repair.
Error codes for this fault
Frequently asked questions
Why are the dishes hot but not clean?
Then the heating works and the cause is elsewhere: the tablet, the spray arms, the filters or the loading. Go through the "not cleaning properly" checks.
Can I use a dishwasher that does not heat the water?
It may run, but grease and dried-on food are not removed and tablets dissolve poorly. It is better to have the heating repaired.
What does E09 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
According to Bosch, E09 means the heating element is defective. It is a job for a technician.
Other faults
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